More people than ever before are turning to video meetings to conduct business. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve seen a massive uptick in people in the workforce using Zoom and other video call programs.
And while video conference calls are certainly convenient, especially for companies that have employees from all over the country or the globe, these Zoom meetings can wear you out. If you have several calls all in a row, it’s only a matter of time before that afternoon crash. Stanford researchers say that “Zoom fatigue” truly does exist, and it can creep up without warning if you allow it.
Accord to Stanford research, these are four reasons for Zoom fatigue:
-
Excessive close eye contact is incredibly intense
-
Constantly being able to see yourself on a video call exhausts us
-
Video chats dramatically decrease how much we usually move
-
The cognitive load is much higher in video chats
Fortunately, there are several ways that you can fight this and stay focused throughout the day. Our recruiting agency has not only had several days ourselves where we’ve felt exhausted from video conference calls, but we’ve also noticed our clients have had similar experiences. Here are 5 ways that have helped us stay energized and on task for an entire work day.
1) Stop looking at yourself. It’s been scientifically proven that constant exposure to our own appearance can be exhausting to us. The reason why is because our brain will — consciously or subconsciously — judge how we look. This can come frustration or self-conscious feelings that can really bring our energy. Thankfully, the fix is super simple. During the Zoom meeting, turn off your ability to see yourself on camera. You can find out how to do that by clicking here.
2) Make the mute button your best friend. If you’re conducting business from home or in a loud environment, you’re susceptible to interrupting the video meeting. Kids running around, sounds in the background, and other employees talking behind you are all things that can cause distractions and bring on stress. If you can make a habit of using the mute button, it’ll organically release the feelings of tension you have, thus keeping you more focused on the task at hand.
3) Take consistent computer screen breaks. If you’ve got a calendar that’s filled with video meetings all day long, you have to know how important it is to take regular breaks. Staring at a computer screen for long periods of time wears out the eyes and the mind, which will leave you staring off into space before long. After every video call, get up from the computer and walk around the office or the house. Walk outside and get a breath of fresh air. Make these breaks a habit in your daily routine in order to achieve maximum focus.
4) Use “speaker view” instead of “gallery view.” If you’re a regular user of Zoom, you know what gallery view is like. It can be quite overwhelming to see that many faces on the screen at the same time. By the end of the day, that’s going to exhaust you. Instead, use “speaker view,” as this will limit the screen to only showing who’s speaking at any given time.
5) Don’t multitask. According to the Journal of Experimental Psychology, switching between multiple different tasks can cut your productivity by as much as 40 percent. Moreover, Stanford researchers say that multitaskers have proven to show a decrease in memory. When you’re on a Zoom call, make sure all tabs and your email is turned off. Learn to pace yourself throughout the day and not try to get everything done all at once.
We hope these tips were helpful to you. If you’d like to read up on more tips to keep you at maximum productivity while at work, click here and read some previous blogs of ours.
Carter Recruiting and Associates is one of the largest independent recruiting and outplacement companies in Arkansas. Our headquarters, located in Little Rock and our satellite office in Conway, both service accounts nationwide. We have satisfied clients and references from some of the largest companies in the state. With over 50 collective years of experience in the recruiting business, we have a vast amount of resources and knowledge to ensure a job well done.
Cherie Richardson
President
Cherie is the owner and president of Carter Recruiting and Associates. She holds a BA in psychology from the University of Mississippi and has over 30 years of experience in the recruitment of executive and manufacturing professionals. Cherie’s work has been instrumental for new plant start-ups, as well as building and maintaining relationships throughout the region and state of Arkansas. She is a member of the National Association of Female Executives and the National Association of Women Business Owners.